NGT Questions Kerala's Waste Claims: Why Dump in Neighbors If Capacity Is Enough?
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Pollution (air, water, plastic)· Prelims + Mains·
Waste management infrastructure vs. regulatory oversight: a GS3 Environment and Governance case study.
Why in news
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Southern Bench questioned the Kerala State Pollution Control Board's (KSPCB) claim of adequate biomedical waste capacity following reports of waste being dumped in neighboring states.
Background
In 2025, Kerala generated approximately 73.08 tonnes of biomedical waste daily against an installed treatment capacity of 71.8 tonnes per day. The NGT noted that 642 applications for waste management authorization were pending and 73 were returned for clarification.
Facts for Prelims
- FactKerala's 2025 daily biomedical waste generation: 73.08 tonnes.
- FactKerala's 2025 installed biomedical waste treatment capacity: 71.8 tonnes per day.
- PlaceKerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB): State-level regulatory body for pollution control.
Prelims practice question
With reference to biomedical waste management in Kerala, consider the following statements:
- The installed treatment capacity for biomedical waste in Kerala is 75.0 tonnes per day.
- The NGT noted that 642 applications for waste management authorization were pending.
- The daily generation of biomedical waste in Kerala is approximately 73.08 tonnes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)2 only
- (b)3 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)2 and 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (d) 2 and 3 only — Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect: The installed treatment capacity is 71.8 tonnes per day.
For Mains
Q. Critically analyze the challenges in managing biomedical waste in India and suggest measures to ensure state-level compliance with environmental safety standards.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Regulatory bottleneck: High volume of pending authorization applications delaying infrastructure expansion
- Inter-state friction: Environmental externalities caused by waste dumping across state borders
- Capacity deficit: Discrepancy between daily waste generation and installed treatment infrastructure
Keywords: Environmental Governance · Waste Management · Regulatory Compliance · Inter-state Coordination · Pollution Control
More Environment & Ecology notes
- Bhupender Yadav releases two male Great Indian Bustards into Jaisalmer's Desert National Park · 6 October 2026
- India-born cheetah KJP21 gives birth to 5 cubs in Kuno National Park · 5 October 2026
- Unscientific desilting cuts Ooty lake bird population from 600 to 270 despite ₹7.51 crore · 5 October 2026
- Wet-bulb temperature of 32-35º C can be lethal as Chennai humidity rises · 5 October 2026
- High-rise buildings and asphalt cause terrestrial stilling and intensify heat in Indian cities · 5 October 2026
- Parambikulam Tiger Reserve inaugurates exhibition honoring plant declared extinct in the 1990s · 5 October 2026
Something wrong, or something missing?
Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.
This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.